9 Day Southern Experience

Discover the natural beauty of the south island of New Zealand on this 9 day fully escorted coach tour from AAT Kings. Travelling onboard a luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and panoramic windows, you can sit back and enjoy the magnificent vistas and expert commentary provided by your professional Tour Guide and Driver on this New Zealand holiday.

Visit spectacular sights such as the Fox Glacier, New Zealand's only castle - Lanarch Castle and its gardens and the picturesque Milford Sound. Explore Queenstown your way - from a wine and garden tour to the ultimate thrill seeking adventure of a jet boat ride and white water rafting.

This coach tour from AAT Kings has an excellent itinerary, allowing you to stay a little longer at each destination and explore it on your own. Consider experiencing the joy of flying over Mt Cook or the Franz Josef Glacier as one of the fantastic optional tours available on your journey.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch: AAT Kings meet and transfer you from the airport to your hotel. Check in then explore Christchurch for yourself. An evening Welcome Drink offers the chance to meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Day 2 Mt Cook: Your day begins with a ride on the Christchurch Tram. Then you've got time to go shopping or relax. En route today, see Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt Cook National Park. You can also take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).

Day 3 Dunedin: On the way to Dunedin, see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru. At Dunedin, tour the city, then you've got the afternoon to yourself - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway, it's your choice.

Day 4 Dunedin - Te Anau: A guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle and its gardens starts the day with your own time in town. Then head to Te Anau across fertile farming land to the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island. Tonight, if you choose to, you can see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.

Day 5 Milford Sound: Today is a feast for the senses. Be wowed and awestruck by the beauty of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Keep your camera close by as you'll see Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Claudu Valley, The Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and stunningly photogenic Milford Sound. The Devils Stair Case and Lake Wakatipu pass us by. Arrive at Queenstown for an orientation tour and group photo. The dinner option tonight is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak - sensational views over Queenstown and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show, plus you'll ride the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere just to get there! A top night.

Day 6 Queenstown ‘Free Time': Explore Queenstown your way. Go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. For dinner, travel across Lake Wakatipu and back on the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steam ship, to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a carvery meal and sheep shearing demonstration.

Day 7 Queenstown - Franz Josef: The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is the first stop today. The second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. See a trio of lakes - Lake Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Travel over the Haast Pass, view the amazing Thunder Creek Falls, take a small rainforest walk, then it's on to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible glacier. Take the opportunity of a scenic flight over it, if you choose.

Day 8 TranzAlpine - Christchurch: Visit Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), where you'll visit the factory and see a jewellery demonstration. Continuing on, head up the West Coast to Greymouth, then view the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Later, enjoy the alpine scenery as you travel inland to Arthur's Pass where you climb aboard the TranzAlpine - one of the top 6 train journeys in the world - and travel through the picturesque Southern Alps to Christchurch.

Day 9 Depart Christchurch: Today is yours, take your time exploring Christchurch - the Garden City - famous for its gardens and being the most English city outside of England. See Hagley Park, Canterbury Museum, whatever - just make the most of it - it's your last chance to experience New Zealand before AAT Kings transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

Itinerary Options

Day 2: Optional scenic flight over Mt Cook
Day 7: Optional scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier

Departures

On Day 1, Flights must arrive prior to 4.00pm. On Day 9, flights to depart anytime.

2008: May 11, 18 Jun 22 Jul 20 Aug 17, 31 Sep 14, 28 Oct 05, 12, 19, 26 Nov 02, 09, 16, 30 Dec 07, 21, 28

2009: Jan 04, 18, 25 Feb 01, 15, 22 Mar 08, 15, 22 Apr 12, 19

Highlights

Cruise Milford Sound Day at leisure in Queenstown View Franz Josef Glacier Discover the beauty of the Southern Alps onboard the TranzAlpine Train

Inclusions

Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach, reclining seats with seatbelts, restroom and panoramic windows Experienced services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver Welcome Drink Full Buffet Breakfasts (8) Exciting Highlight Dinner (1) Hotel Dinners (5) Airport Transfers All purpose travel wallet and touring map Porterage at tour Hotels

Additional Information

Instant Quote: Provides rates in Australian Dollars including NZ Government Taxes
Airport Transfers: AAT Kings offers return hotel or airport transfers
Children: 5 years of age and under are not catered for. Children 6-18 years must be accompanied by an adult
Luggage Allowance: One medium size suitcase per person plus an overnight bag
What to Bring: Casual light weight clothing with warmer articles for the evenings and cooler days in Summer. A warm jacket is recommended for winter. Swimsuit, towel, waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear
Operated by: AAT Kings